The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-24
READING FOR TIE DAY.
sunaay-schoo, Lesson for July 81, 49,

sunday-School Lesson for July 81, 1881
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS. Matt. iv. LID
Golden Textile is able to succor them that are
tempted. Heb. IL, 49,
There have been almost innumerable explain
atoms of this event. We refer to few general
classes. !. Some think it a kind OF categorical
account of mysterious but real spiritual strug-
gle, akin to that of Pilgrims Progress"
2 Others think that the account really con-
ceas an attempt the part OF the Jewish
church to bride Christ into silence or to control
his popularity. g. Many attempt to explain it
as a sort of dream vision that contains the
principles of the constant struggle with Satan
in Christ's life. and in our own But all of these
attempts TO explain away the literal character of
the temptation a real outward event fail
There is no more difficulty of conceiving of a
personal devil than of a personal angel or per-
sonal God. And 1t would seem very natural
that beginning his work the second ADAM
he should pass through some snch tests of the
flesh and soul, and spirit did the first ADAM
and that Jesus, renewing and perfecting the
covenant of God, should be tempted and proven
as was Moses in giving it, and Elijah his efforts
to restore it. There are other references in
Christ's life 10 his struggles with Satan as the
king of opposing kiugd ON las Matt xii, % 2S
Luke XII, III. whic h throw back their light upon
the event of this lesson and show 1t to be the
record of real external conflict
The temptation teaches in the most emphatic
way the reality of Christs human nature There is
no ground for the old Docetc teaching that the
body of Christ was only apparent and not real.
But if Christ was sinless, how could any tempta-
ton have power with him2 If there was evil
within, how could there be any virtue in resist
ing it'll If a careful analysis Is made OF the temp
tations, it will be found each time that he is
licited to do something that appears to be good.
and that there is a seeming good reason for do
ing it. Such seeming good. as opening the
eyes to become like God, overpowered Adam,
and that motive carried down the direct
command of God So it was not appeal
to inbred evil and President
Woolsey says that the key to the story of the
temptation will be found in Satan's attempt to
undermine the purpose of Christ, and to lead
him do something inconsistent with the Office
to which he had been chosen. George MacDon-
aid SAYS Il do not believe the Son of God could
be tempted with evil but / do believe that he
could be tempted with good, to yield to which
temptation would have been evil in Him, ruin to
the universe" The writer of the Epistle to the
Hebrews explains that in order to be the Savior
of sinners he must in all points be tempted as
they Heb. iv. Isl, and having been tempted
he is able to succor them that are tempted Heb.
ii.18l We understand that the personal appear
ance of Satan was real. possibly in the form of
and angel of light; that he was not known until
the last temptation; that there WAS mingling
of the natural and supernatural in bringing
before Chrsts mind the view from the pinnacle
of the temple and from the mountain; that
Christ met and overcame the great and strong
appeals of Satan to attempt the sudden estab-
lishment of a visible earthly kingdom, rather
than the pure. spiritual. slowly developed king
dom he was sent to establish. Neander finds in
this the secret of the temptation, and that 1t
runs through the whole life of Christ.